Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday talked about the challenges that maritime routes face as they are being misused for piracy and terrorism while addressing the United Nations Security Council‘s open debate on maritime security. It was a virtual meet attended by many heads of state including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While addressing the meet, he put forward some basic principles for Maritime security.

1) Free maritime trade sans barriers so as to establish legitimate trade.

2) Settlement of maritime disputes should be peaceful and on the basis of international law only

3) Active flow of maritime trade

4) Removal of barriers in the path of free maritime trade

PM Modi also called for a more inclusive approach towards maritime security.

“In our region based on the vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region). This vision is for a safe, secure, and stable maritime domain,” said Modi of the framework.

Modi also said that oceans are our shared heritage and our maritime routes are the lifelines of international trade. These oceans are very important for the future of our planet. 

This is the first time an Indian Prime Minister, has chaired a high-level UNSC open debate on maritime security.

“The Open Debate’s key focus points were ways to effectively counter maritime crime, and to strengthen coordination in the maritime domain for global peace and prosperity,” PM Modi tweeted on Sunday about the virtual event.

PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to preside over a UN Security Council Open Debate. The virtual meet is attended by several heads of states. Russian President Vladimir Putin, US secretary of state Antony Blinken and Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo are among those who took part in the event.